Thank Goodness It’s Thanksgiving!

My most memorable Thanksgiving took place two years ago, in a hospital, with a beautiful baby.

It was my first year out of college and my FUNemployment adventures led me to taking care of this adorable tot who taught me how short life is and how blessed I am.

Two years later, I look at my surroundings and I think about how even more blessed (if that’s possible) I am. I’m working as the assistant editor for Audrey Magazine — a job I’ve dreamt about since I was 12 – and I get the opportunity to shape Asian American lifestyle and culture.

In the mere 1+ year I’ve been working here, I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet and converse with many public figures I’ve admired. Not naming names but Mindy Kaling, JustJared‘s Jared Eng, Lisa Ling, and Kal Penn among the many.

Like this picture below. For years I would obsessively listen to the voice of Dia Frampton from the indie pop-rock band Meg & Dia. I still have their CDs in my car. And look, here I am being all buddy buddy with her at her most recent KoreAm Journal cover shoot!

When we’re not out on the field, I get to goof off work with some of the most interesting people on this planet: my co-workers. Some hi jinks include pampering my co-worker Peter’s skin and BBQ-ing in the rain.

When we’re not in the office, we STILL enjoy eachother’s company and often hold Happy Hours together. Here, some fine ladies and gents strike a pose with my Hello Kitty glasses.

Can I say I’m always 100% happy with where my career is headed? No. I’m a spoiled brat who suffers from the what if’s. “What if I made more money?” “What if I interviewed more relevant subjects?” “What if I had a job where I drove less?”

As our society gets more and more progressive, I’ve noticed — at least around many of my peers — that what we’re seeking are the jobs with the fattest paychecks, the positions that will enable us to climb the corporate ladder, the occupations that will make us seem the most stable, the most normal.

As important as all those things may be, I know that I will never be able to work in a place that I lack passion for. Never be able to handle a position where I feel the need to complain all the time. So I’m so thankful I’ve always been able to know when my time is up and I’ve had understanding employers that I can leave on good terms with.

And I’m super grateful with my position here and for these hooligans who are passionate about their jobs and what they put out into the world.

In addition to Audrey Magazine, other things I’m thankful for (in no particular order besides the fact that they came out of my head this way):

• *My family including my mother who stews delicious hot soup for me, my father who fixes broken car door handles for me, my abu who remind me everyday how lucky I am, my sister who worships the ground I walk on (keke) and every other kin in between for being so beautiful inside and out.
• *Jason for introducing me to Sovereign Grace where I get my brain kicked every week over how great Jesus’ love is and how deeply I sin.
• *My insatiable drive and my stubborn optimism. It makes me miserable a lot of the times but I know this is what’s going to take me to my destiny.
• *My awesome friends who are so frickin’ busy and so frickin’ artsy and so frickin’ loving to me, tolerating my ditziness/flakiness/big-mouthedness.
• *And of course, I’m thankful for youuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!! <3

posted by Janice | Comments: 4 | Blog, Friendlies, Inspirations, Job, Los Angeles, Magazine, Personal, Writing

Red Carpet Etiquette

Red carpets are a beast to work.

Filled with frantic PR people, confused celebs who are constantly being harassed and herded to this reporter or that photographer, it can be a crazy place.

I’ve done a fair share of red carpet work. Sometimes on camera, sometimes for print. A majority with Asian American events and one thing that I’ve taken away from it is seriously:

HAVE RED CARPET ETIQUETTE

This applies to every and all people on the red carpet — journalists, photographers, PR folks, celebs, the people walking the celebs down the red carpet, me.

I understand that the red carpet can be like a bustling marketplace, where all these players have all these different agendas but seriously, people can be so rude sometimes.

On the red carpet, most people seem to follow a “do whatever it takes to get what you want” strategy, whether that entails embarrassing other people or coming off like a jack*ss or a b*tch.

Recently I was on the red carpet and it started to get really crowded behind the ropes. Some of the other reporters started crossing the line to interview while ON the red carpet. Seemed like a good idea so I did just that as well. All was going well when this PR lady, out of nowhere and for NO REASON AT ALL– while I’m in the middle of interviewing her client — tells me, “you better get over to behind the lines. You better get behind there. Get there. Get there.” Then she raised the ropes and forced me to crawl UNDER it even though all the other reporters still stayed on the red carpet.

That was not cool, lady.

And then there are celebs who are super “over it” when they answer questions. They roll their eyes, make weird faces and generally act like unpleasant people who are asking in their heads, “are you seriously asking me this?”

At the end of the day, I just hope that all red carpet attendees remember one thing: you chose to be here. Whether as a writer, a cameraman, a PR rep, a movie star, you chose your profession. If you don’t enjoy the process, don’t do it.

I really admired how Kal Penn handled the red carpet at a Harold & Kumar screening recently. Unlike some of his shall-not-be-named cohorts, he was gracious and kind the entire evening, speaking to all the publications, answering questions with genuine care and thoughtfulness. I know this because even though he wasn’t the last celeb to arrive, he was the last to finish the red carpet because he would take his time with the press. I was set to interview him last and when one of the PR reps told me I could only ask him one question (say what? We hosted the event!), his reps personally reassured me it would be more than that. Then when Kal and I met face to face, he told me,

“Would it be ok if we talked while walking into the screening? I want to make sure you guys get enough time especially because you’ve always been so supportive of us.”

So sweet, right?! And he gives an awesome video intro.

Thanks Kal for being such a model celeb on red carpet etiquette.

posted by Janice | Comments: 2 | Interviews, Job, Los Angeles, TV, Writing

Things I’ve Encountered That I Like

{ Picture thanks to Diana King }

Recently helped coordinate a shoot and interview for Mindy Kaling for Audrey Magazine’s Winter cover. My girl crush on Mindy grew as I learned more about this accomplished writer-performer who became a theater wunderkind at only 24 and an executive-producer on the hit NBC comedy at only 32.

She’s also a blogger (I know, as if girl didn’t have enough on her plate) and shares hilarious musings of things she likes on this blog.

In honor of Mindy, I’m sharing some of the stuff I like.

Cool art. It’s Van Gogh’s Starry Night all done with different-colored brushes.

Thanks to one of my Chinatown gals, I got to enjoy the uber-exclusive Club 33. Rubbed shoulders with Mickey and Pluto too.

Just a reminder that the (lovably) idiotic Janice is still here! I accidentally took one of those restaurant beepers home. It wouldn’t stop beeping.

Doesn’t this just bring a smile to your face?

Be sure to purchase your copy of Mindy’s winter issue here.

posted by Janice | Comments: 3 | Inspirations, Los Angeles, Love, Writing

Buffing It Out At The Wi Spa

“I’m a dirty, dirty girl.”

I thought this to myself as I watched flecks of my own skin roll off my arms and legs.

I’m at Wi Spa, getting the ultimate Korean Spa treatment. Have you heard of it? Are you ready to hear about it?

‘Cause it can sound like a porno film.

{ Chicken pic thanks to http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/dakjuk }

Or a cooking show on how to boil a chicken (I’ll explain later).

posted by Janice | Comments: 3 | Job, Los Angeles, Personal, Uncategorized, Writing

Anatomy of an Outfit

I was never a girl that made too big a deal out of dressing up. For prom, I think I just went into my mom’s closet and dug out a dress she bought but never wore. For weddings, the same deal. For clubbing, I often wear sundresses.

So I was lucky enough this year to have my entire look come together the way it did. My friend Joyce did my hair and makeup. A PR company was kind enough to loan me the dress and jewels, and I just threw on my most fashionable pair of heels.

2011 Audrey’s Night Out | Exchange LA
Dress | Dalia Macphee
Hair & Makeup | Joyce Luck
Heels | My own. Forgot name.
Jewels | Thanks to RedLightPR

posted by Janice | Comments: 9 | Look, Los Angeles, Magazine, Writing

I’m Not A Really Good Actor…

But oh man, did I have to do some serious acting in this one commercial gig that I booked recently.

I got called in for an infomercial for a particular teeth whitening company. Based all over malls in the US, the teeth whitening system takes 20 minutes to do and you also get a free massage in the process.

When I got to the shoot, I find I’d be working with three other actors, two girls around my age and an older man. The older man had done a previous infomercial for the same company and told us the product was really good and swell.

So we shoot some scenes involving us faking getting the procedure done. Everyone’s smiley and acting naturally, etc.

Then the company offered us free trials so that we’ll actually know how it feels to get this particular type of teeth whitening done.

First, the whitening assistant stuck the CONTRAPTION pictured below into my teeny mouth.

posted by Janice | Comments: 5 | Job, Los Angeles

Yes, I’ve Been Eating…

…And quite well, actually, thank you very much.

Following Sinosoul‘s advice to eat well while looking well, I’ve given up on the stringent diet of spinach and brown rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner (that lasted like, a day) and have been just carefully monitoring my caloric intakes through eating smaller portions at a slower pace and really holding back on that second slice of chocolate cake.

And I allowed myself to attend the annual Plate by Plate tasting benefit. Organized by Project by Project, a national 100% volunteer-run org. with chapters in LA, NY and SF, Plate by Plate is basically the biggest potluck by some of the best chefs you’ll ever come across with plenty of ladies and gents dressed to the nines, a fun photo booth, and an expensive extrance fee.

posted by Janice | Comments: 4 | Food, Job, Los Angeles, Writing

Audrey’s Fall Cover Gal | Jenna Ushkowitz

I love my job sometimes.

Sure, there’s plenty of sitting around at my desk, my shoulders strained so hard it feels like it’s going to cave in on me and exchanging frustrating emails with catty publicists who think they own the world but sometimes, there are magical moments where we’re creating art and telling stories.

Like Audrey Mag‘s fall cover shoot with Jenna Ushkowitz. (Shown here getting all dolled up for the shoot.)

We placed Jenna in the middle of Park Plaza, in all its old Hollywood glam, dolled her up in sleek evening gowns and pearls where Diana took dreamy shots of her.

Check out the behind-the-scenes coverage and interview we got, with the help of Asian American entertainment network MYX TV. You’ll get the inside scoop on Jenna’s make-out sessions with Harry Shum, Jr. and her favorite Glee episodes.

I can’t wait to share the rest of our shots–and the magazine– with you! Audrey Magazine Fall 2011 issue hits stands early September. Purchase your copy here.

posted by Janice | Comments: 2 | Fashion, Job, Look, Los Angeles, Magazine, Music, TV, Writing

Life is A Freaking Crazy Adventure

I haven’t been around much the past week — it’s been a roller coaster of a ride. One filled with family, chasing little munchkins around, driving, much talking and gabbing and laughing (and sometimes crying), celebrating love, walking my toes numb in high heels, meeting incredible, life-changing new friends, bettering myself, learning more about my Chinese culture, practicing my mandarin, dressing up like a navy officer, facing the REAL world (it’s a surreal one), and doing things I’m incredibly afraid of.

Though it’s only been a week, I feel like I’ve been gone from my real life for a month.

The ultimate that I took away from the week is that life can be SO FREAKING CRAZY SOMETIMES.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

posted by Janice | Comments: 1 | Job, Los Angeles, Personal

Dietary Lifestyle Change

I’ve kind of been of a diet dietary lifestyle change for the past few weeks.

Now before you go off and say, “Oh noooo, Janice, Why? You shouldn’t! Why? You’re so skinny and perfect and pretty already!” (Or if you go off and say, “What took you so long?”) I just wanna let you know I’m not looking for any attention with this statement so please save it for yourself.

{Image via Listphobia. I’m going to look like this soon. Kthxbye}

The particular diet I’m in the midst of is more geared to changing my eating habits so that I:

posted by Janice | Comments: 4 | Food, Los Angeles, Love